Railer

They were never planned. Only option is to get 112 resprayed and numbered. Or get one of older 071s without the LED marker lights resprayed for a more accurate model.

Cheers Dave:tumbsup:

Are 165 and 188 still for sale?

Wow, thanks for that. Another question, about the HEP sockets under the buffers. I know 201-205 and 210-214 can't work push pulls because of their buffers and can't be fitted with a drophead coupler. I know that 210 carried out static HEP tests with Mks 3. 201 and 210 from what I can see have different HEP sockets to all the other 201s. Was this another modification and was not applied to these locos. From what I have read not all 201s had their HEP equipment commissioned, even the ones that have no reason to use it and that currently in 209 and 234 it's not working at all. Also since the DD stock entered service all the push pull 201s seem to have been turned the same way. The No1 end is always facing Belfast or Cork. In 1994-1996 most of the 201s working the Mk3 PP sets had their No1 ends facing the coaching stock. From what I can tell the No1 end cab is bigger os it it just for driver comfort that the 201s were all turned this way seeing as it would be the No1 cab in use most of the time unless the loco is being swapped out?

Got a 201 question for anyone in the know. I was looking at the connections on the front of the loco, there is what appears to be an electrical socket with a flip cover like comando 3ph socket. I'm guessing this is the connection for multiple working (I know IE do not allow it for the 201s) as the two HEP sockets are under the buffers? Anyway looking back through old photos of the 201s, this socket used to be low down on the bodywork just before the underframe skirt started. Then from about 1997 modification work seems to have been done to move it just under the main headlights offset by the brake hose. All 201s seem to have had this modification except 201 and 204 from what I can see. Anyone know why and why 201 and 204 were left out? It's nothing to do with push pull 201s as 202-3,5-34 all had it done. __________________

Thanks for that gg. I forgot about the traverser. So, the loco pulls the train in, uncouples, goes on the traverser, the loco runs around and pushes the train in one wagon at a time. Then collects one wagon from the traverser one at a time and adds it to back on to the train as it pushes the loaded ones in. On the note of splitting freight trains. I believe the new terminal built for the IWT requires it to be split for loading and unloading. Again due to space reasons a the docks.

Always wanted to know the exact details of this myself. What I believe part of what happens is that the train is divided and two and unloaded in halfs. The loco runs around the set and pushes the wagons into the tipper and then hauls them out one by one. Sounds very time consuming to me. Don't know the exact track layout inside the gates of the unloading area but there seems to be a small head shunt for the loco to run around. Tried to view in on Google Earth but the resolution in not high enough to make out the embedded concrete rails.

It was my money Father, I just didn't want to fill out the forms.

Wow seven=D. Will there be a batch after that or is that it? 10 out of 21 is pretty good.

That's so it's easier to swap one out if it fails.

They are on the modelshopbelfast site. Silverfox makes them up. I saw one at the model rail fair in Raheny a few months back and it looked really nice with the metalic silver paint finish. Just on the pricey side and I was out to get an 071 that day so had to let it go. If you are to kit bash one from a Mk3 a big thing is to remove the gangways and blank them over. Also they always face the same way. The electrical connections and jumper cables on one end only work with a 201 while the connections on the other are for a DD stock.

The EGVs provide power for the lighting, aircon, PA systems etc. There were EGVs for the Mk2, Mk3s. The Mk3 pushpull DVTs had a small generator built into them that could power them selves and up to a max of 5 other standard Mk3. The 201s on the DD Enterprise sets provide HEP, head end power. They run at 900rpm when idle when in this mode and that's why they are louder when on the DD stock. Around 900hp is taken from the 201 to provide power to the train leaving it with about the same power as an 071 to haul the train. HEP puts alot to strain on the 201s which is why they fail alot on the Enterprise and the locos are swapped out regularly to give them a break. With the Mk3s being withdrawn, 4 Mk3 EGVs have been modified to work with the DD stock to cut down on 201 failures. They have been in testing for 2 years and the first one entered service last September. In mid December the 3 sets had an EGV each but as of last week at least one has been removed from service. They seem to be having teething problems with them. The Mk4 DVTs are also EGVs or DVGTs.

Any word on the next 071 batch guys. Wrenn, anyone? Last word was to expect them around mid Jan, are they still on time or is it too early in the year with things still getting back on track. Getting itchy pockets for MM209 and MM230 too.

The only thing IE is good for is downloading other browsers.

That is the most they haul. Generally 10-12 daily use. There was 25 wagons and 2 were converted and added to the fleet. If the 2 links ran with 12 each day that would only leave 1 as a spare in the wagon shop or Limerick works for maintenance until the other 2 were added. Some days during the week I see a tara train with only 7 or 8 wagons and the other with 11 or 12 but they are usually back up to at least 10 each the next day.

Wow, love the pic of the A class at Howth Junction. I wish I was around during those times.

Wow, the work you did on 071 to become 074. That and the bogie work on 082, quality stuff.

Cheers Rich, I'll keep them in mind when all else fails here. The negative waves are starting to flow.

I was thinking that. The ends are heavily weathered, you can just make out the running numbers. Don't think there is much I can do, just looks a little odd close up with the positions of the buffers. Have to get myself some proper modeling tools to make these tasks easier.

I got myself a weathered Mk2 EGV. I have a question about the buffers, on the EGV I have 1 of the buffers is in retracted position and the other 3 are all extended. I was trying to push the other 3 in and failing that, pulling the other out but they won't budge. I don't want to use too much force in case I snap them. Can replacement Mk2 buffers be picked up somewhere?

The one that really stands out is the lack of the push/pull jumper cable and socket under the buffer on the drivers side. Still, it's only a small thing. The thing that keeps putting me off 112 are the white window wipers, they stand out like a sore thumb to me.

I don't know exactly but from this weekend it seems the sales of the 071s were very good which is encouraging. I see on Mark's Models site that 071 and 082 are sold out. I know that there are more 112s than the others due to what arrived in the country for the launch. I got 071 at the show and the others should be here in a day or so. They are great models and very good value being cheaper than the latest batch of 201s. Hopefully when they are all released the 071s will secure the future of the 121s.

Great layout, fantastic detail at the depot and running shed.

Thanks for the offer, I'll fire a PM your way.

I am just wondering what controllers are generally used. I don't really have a layout and the odd time I test run the models I just set up a basic oval and use the bog standard Hornby controller that feels so cheap compared to the Hornby controllers I remember as a kid in the mid '90s. I have not tried DDC yet and don't like the thoughts of opening up the models and placing the decoders inside but I was looking at the Dynamis setup but I can't find that in stock anywhere for the basic pack only the Pro version that would be well beyond my needs. Just wondering what are the mains weapons of choice here basically.